US20100328078A1 - System and Method for Providing Visual and Physiological Cues in a Matching System - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable matching device and method is provided. The portable matching device includes a memory that is configured to store first identification information. A communication device in the portable matching device is configured to transmit the first identification information from the memory to a presence detector and to receive a matching attribute from a server, which is configured to determine whether a first profile associated with the first identification information and a second profile match according to matching criteria. The portable matching device further includes a match indicator that is configured to present the matching attribute, which is unique to the second profile and is presented by the match indicator so as to be at least one of outwardly visible or audible so as to be information to a person other than a user of the matching device of the match.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/418,134, filed Apr. 3, 2009, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/146,517, filed Jun. 26, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,528,729, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/031,804, filed Feb. 15, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,394,388, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/844,776, filed Aug. 24, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,342,503, each of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
• Conceptually, the world can be divided into those with needs and/or desires and people with potential means of satisfying those needs and/or desires. For example, a salesperson may be seeking potential clients. A single person may be seeking a dating partner. A guitar player may be seeking a drummer. A shopper may be looking for a particular item to buy. The difficulty has been in bringing the seekers into close proximity and in providing them sufficient information to allow them to decide if their interests coincide.
• Solutions to this problem are sometimes referred to as matching systems and involve varying mechanisms for assessing whether a profile of the problem owner and a profile of a solution owner “match” sufficiently to provide information to at least one of the parties about the other. For example, RFID, GPS, and Bluetooth technology has been proposed to identify individuals with related interests when they are in proximity to each other. If the individuals are sufficiently close to each other, various systems have been combined with profile records to determine if the individuals have interests that “match” and, if so, to facilitate the exchange of location information between the individuals. Ad hoc wireless networks have also been described that facilitate such an exchange. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,711,414 and 6,757,719 to Lightman et al., 6,977,612 to Bennet, 6,996,402 to Logan, 6,618,593 to Drutman, 6,419,217 and 6,758,397 to Catan, 7,098,793 and 6,961,000 both to Chung, 6,992,574 to Aupperle et al., and 7,092,002 to Ferren et al., U.S. Patent Application 2005/0174975 filed by Mgrdechian et al., U.S. Patent Application 2007/0030824 filed by Ribaudo et al., U.S. Patent Application 2006/0256959 filed by Hymes, U.S. Patent Application 2007/0096909 filed by Lally, and U.S. Patent Applications 2005/0177614 and 2005/0272413 filed by Bourne, all of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
• These solutions are generally directed to providing information to individuals having matching profiles. However well designed, such matching systems cannot account for the importance of visual cues and other physiological indicators in determining whether to interact with another person, whether it is for social or business purposes.
• What would be useful is an information exchange system that provides visual and physiological cues to users.
• In an embodiment, a first user monitor is configured to transmit a first response signal comprising first identification information to a presence detector establishing a presence of the first user monitor within a defined space. A second user monitor is configured to transmit a second response signal comprising second identification information to the presence detector establishing a presence of the second user monitor within the defined space. An interrogator is configured to receive the identification information from the first and second user monitors and to send the identification information to an information server.
• In this embodiment, the information server is configured to store a first user profile comprising information associated with a user of the first user monitor and a second user profile comprising information associated with a user of the second user monitor and to receive the information establishing the presence of the first and the second user monitors. If the first and second user monitors are present, the information server is configured to determine whether the first and the second user profiles match according to matching criteria.
• If the first and the second user profiles match according to the matching criteria, then send a first matching alert signal comprising a first matching attribute to a first match indicator and a second matching alert signal comprising a second matching attribute to a second match indicator. The first matching attribute is displayed on the first match indicator, wherein the first match indicator is visible to the user of the second user monitor so as to be informative to the user of the second user monitor of the matching of the first and second user profiles according to the matching criteria. The second matching attribute is displayed on the second match indicator, wherein the second match indicator is visible to the user of the first user monitor so as to be informative to the user of the first user monitor of the matching of the first and second user profiles according to the matching criteria. In an embodiment, the first matching attribute is unique to the user of the second user monitor and the second matching attribute is unique to the user of the first user monitor.
• By way of illustration and not as a limitation, the user monitor may be an RFID enabled device, a Bluetooth enabled device, a GPS enabled device, and a Wi-Fi enabled device.
• By way of illustration and not as a limitation, the first and second matching attributes are selected from the group consisting of a background color, a background hue, a display color, a display hue, a symbol, text, animation, and an animation rate.
• In another embodiment, the information server receives physiological data of the user of the first user monitor from a sensor. A bio response processor located in the first user monitor is configured to receive the physiological data from the sensor, determine a measure of attraction of the user of the first user monitor to the user of the second user monitor from at least one element of the physiological data and create an attraction attribute indicative of the attraction measure. The bio response processor then sends an attraction signal to the first match indicator comprising the attraction attribute. The first match indicator displays the attraction attribute so as to be informative of the attraction of the user of the first user monitor to the user of the second user monitor.
• In yet another embodiment, the information server receives physiological data of the user of the first user monitor from a sensor. A bio response processor located in the first user monitor is configured to receive the physiological data from the sensor, determine a measure of truthfulness of the user of the first user monitor to the user of the second user monitor from at least one element of the physiological data and create a truthfulness attribute indicative of the truthfulness measure. The bio response processor then sends a truthfulness signal to the first match indicator comprising the truthfulness attribute. The first match indicator displays the truthfulness attribute so as to be informative of the truthfulness of the user of the first user monitor to the user of the second user monitor.
• In another embodiment, the information server receives profile information and physiological data from at least one of the plurality of users. The information server determines a measure of truthfulness of the user relating to the profile information from at least one element of the physiological data. The information server then determines whether the measure of truthfulness is equal to or greater than a minimum threshold value. If the measure of truthfulness is equal to or greater than a minimum threshold value, the profile information is stored. If the measure of truthfulness is less than the minimum threshold value, then the profile information is rejected.
• By way of illustration and not as a limitation, the physiological data are selected from the group consisting of a heart rate, a measure of blood pressure, a measure of breathing rate, a measure of skin resistance, a measure of body temperature, a voice pattern, and a measure of brain electrical activity.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 illustrates the logical elements of a matching system according to an embodiment hereof.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a match indicator according to an embodiment hereof.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a matching process according to an embodiment hereof.
• FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a matching process according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 5 illustrates the logical elements of an RFID-based matching system according to an embodiment hereof.
• FIG. 6 illustrates the logical elements of a matching system using RFID tags according to an embodiment hereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• FIG. 1 illustrates the logical elements of a matching system according to an embodiment hereof Referring toFIG. 1, aninformation server110 interacts with users A and B, each possessingRFID monitors138 and150 respectively.Information server110 comprises aprocessor114, a user A record120 and a user B record122. User Amonitor138 comprisespresence tag A144,client A140,communications system A141, andmatch indicator A142.Presence tag A144 comprisesmemory146 in whichidentifier A148 is stored.Memory146 may be read only or programmable read/write memory. User A is associated withidentifier A148 in user A record120 ininformation server110. Additionally,information server110 comprises acommunications system124 for communicating with clients A and B (140 and152 respectively).
• User B monitor150 comprisespresence tag B156,client B152,communications system B153, andmatch indicator B154.Presence tag B156 comprisesmemory B158 in whichidentifier B160 is stored.Memory158 may be read only or programmable read/write memory. User B is associated withidentifier B160 in user B record122 ininformation server110.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, presence tags A and B (144 and156 respectively) are passive devices. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, RFID tags and RFID enabled devices may be used to perform the functions of the presence tags. However, the present invention is not so limited. Semi-passive or active presence tags may be utilized for presence tags A and B. While RFID tags are suitable in present-day technology, embodiments should not be construed to be limited to this particular technology. What is anticipated are objects that can be worn that perform the functions as noted herein. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, Bluetooth-enabled devices, GPS-enabled devices, and Wi-Fi enabled devices may also be used to perform the functions of the presence tags.
• User records A and B (120 and122 respectively) each comprise a user profile. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, a user profile comprises characteristic data and preference data. The characteristic data may include age, marital status, physical size, physical limitations, and similar personal information. Preference data, for example, may include information relevant to establishing a business relationship or a social relationship and information related to preferences in food, clothing, sports, entertainment, and music. Thus information about the user and information concerning the user's preference for others are part of the user's profile.
• User profile data may be collected from a user via a computer, a telephone, or via a personal interview. In an embodiment, a user is interviewed and the voice of the user is processed by a voice pattern recognition algorithm to determine whether the answers given by the user are truthful. Detection of stress in a voice pattern algorithm may indicate that a user is lying or that the particular response is a subject of stress for the user that requires further exploration via questions or perhaps human interaction. Users that are not truthful or who may not be able to complete a questionnaire without a stress reaction are not allowed into the system. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other methods of determining the truthfulness or stress of a user may be used as well.
• Presence detector130 receives a presence signal from a presence tag (such as144 and156) that is within range of thepresence detector130. A presence signal received bypresence detector130 comprises the presence tag identifier of the responding presence tag (such as148 and160). The presence detector receives the presence signal and sends the presence tag identifier and other signal parameters such as strength toinformation processor114.Information processor114 stores the location of thepresence detector130 in association with the presence tag identifier in the appropriate user record (such as120 or122).
• The presence signal may be further processed to determine a physical distance between a presence tag (such as148 and160) and thepresence detector130. In an embodiment,information processor114 uses the signal strength of the presence signal to determine a separation distance between thepresence detector130 and any givenpresence tag148,156. The distance determination may be refined by varying the power of the query signal transmitted by thepresence detector130 and/or varying the sensitivity of thepresence detector130 to the presence signal. In this way, the accuracy of the location of a particular user relative to an array of presence detectors may be varied to suit a particular need.
• Theinformation server110 communicates with clients A and B (140 and152 respectively) via links established betweencommunications system A141,communications system B153, andcommunications system124. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, a client may be a standalone device or it may be a communications device such as a cellular phone, a pager, a personal data assistant, a transponder, a radio, a walkie-talkie, or a wireless Internet access device. Clients A and B (140 and152 respectively) may also communicate withinformation server110 to manage their respective user records, including the user profile. In an embodiment,information server110 stores the user profile locally.
• Client A further comprises aclient A display170 and a clientA user input175. Client B further comprises aclient B display180 and a clientB user input185.Client A display170 andclient B display180 may display messages frominformation server110. ClientA user input175 and clientB user input185 allow clients A and B respectively to compose queries and respond to queries frominformation server110. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, clientA user input175 and clientB user input185 may be touch screens, key pads, pointing devices, thumbwheels or similar input devices.
• In an embodiment,information processor114 comprises a set of “default” instructions that determine how the profile information of user A and user B as reflected in user A record120 and user B record122 is to be related or “matched.” For example, the default matching instructions may require that a match will be determined only if the age difference between user A and user B is ten years or less. Other more complex matches are within the scope of the various embodiments and may be multi-dimensional in nature leading to a “score” related to compatibility of the match.
• In an embodiment, when a determination is made that matching scores of users A and B are within an acceptable range or exceed a predetermined threshold, a match alert signal is sent from theinformation server110 viacommunication system124 to theclients140 and152 of users A and B. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the match alert signal may comprise audio information, video information, textual information, or graphical information. Additionally, the match alert signal may provide location information of a user where a “match” is present or provide directions to the location of a user with whom a “match” exists.
• In an embodiment, the match alert signal is passed by theclient A140 to amatch indicator A142 worn by user A and byclient152 to matchindicator154. Thematch indicator A142 is visible to user B. User B wearsmatch indicator B154 that is visible to user A. When user A and user B come within proximity to each other, match indicators A and B (142 and154 respectively) are illuminated in a manner that indicates that users A and B have been matched byinformation processor114. Additionally,client A display170 andclient B display180 may be illuminated in a characteristic manner indicative of a match. Other embodiments may also indicate the strength of the match that is detected by theinformation processor114.
• In another embodiment, each user is assigned a display attribute. The match alert signal that is sent to user A comprises the display attribute that is assigned to user B. The match alert signal that is sent to user B comprises the display attribute that is assigned to user A. When user A and user B come within proximity to each other, and provided that their respective profiles have been determined to match, match indicators A and B (142 and154 respectively) display the display attribute that has been previously assigned to the other user. By way of illustration, user A may be assigned the symbol A in a red background and user B may be assigned the symbol B in a blue background. When user A and user13 are in proximity to each other, if the profiles of user A and B match, the match indicator of user A would display a B in a blue background and the match indicator of user B would display an A in a red background. The display attribute sent to user A may also be displayed onclient A display170 and the display attribute sent to user B may also be displayed onclient B display180.
• In an embodiment,client140 “announces” the matching attribute of user A to user B and the matching attribute of user B to user A. The announcement may be made by a text message or a synthesized voice message or other manner that alerts the respective users. In yet another embodiment, the language of the synthesized voice message may be selected by the user.
• The default matching instructions may be modified by a preference setting in a user profile stored in the user's user record120,122. For example, if user B's profile requires that the age difference not exceed two years, the default matching instructions will be modified to use the age criterion of user B's profile.
• In an embodiment, a “match” between the profiles of user A and user B is quantitatively determined. In this embodiment, the default matching instructions produce a total matching score by assigning values to specific matching criteria. The default matching criteria and the weight assigned to a specific criterion may be modified by the user in establishing the user records120,122. If the matching score exceeds a threshold value or is within an acceptable range, the matching score is communicated to users A and B through their respective clients (140 and152 respectively) viacommunications system124. The user may use the client (140 and152 respectively) to request additional information from theinformation server110 regarding the matching score and/or override the matching determination made by theinformation server110.
• In circumstances where the default matching instructions have been modified by a user, or where the match is determined quantitatively, the display attribute may comprise an intensity, hue or saturation component that is indicative of the degree of the match. For example, a color, hue and saturation level are assigned to users A and B as a matching attribute. The matching attribute will display the color having a hue and saturation depending on the level of matching of the users as determined by theinformation processor114. The matching attribute values may be different for users A and B depending on whether one or both of the users' profiles have matching instructions or if either or both users determine the matching value at their respective clients. Thus user A's match indicator may inform user B that user A is a match (color) but qualitatively low in terms of scoring (hue and saturation). User B's match indicator may inform user A that user B is a qualitatively good match.
• Additionally, when a user is in proximity to two potential matches, only the match indicator of the “best” match will display the display attribute of user A. Thus, in a defined space of many users, display indicators provide a visual cue of a level of commonality between individuals.
• In an embodiment, the information server also tracks the matching attribute assigned to users located in an area of the defined space to minimize duplication of the matching attribute.
• In another embodiment, the user profile and user matching instructions are stored in theclient140. User matching instructions are configured by the user to meet specific requirements of that user. Theinformation processor114 determines that users A and B are within a defined space and uses the default matching instructions to determine whether the profiles of users A and B match based on a set of first matching criteria. If the profiles match according to these criteria, the profile of user A is sent to theclient152 of user B and the profile of user B is sent to theclient140 of user A. User A applies user A matching instructions to the profile of user B. If a match is determined according to the matching instructions of user A, user A usesclient A140 to send a user A matching signal toinformation processor114. If a match is determined according to the matching instructions of user B, user B usesclient B152 to send a user B matching signal toinformation processor114.
• Ifinformation processor114 receives both the user A matching signal and the user B matching signal, theinformation processor114 issues a match alert signal comprising location and/or contact information to facilitate a meeting between user A and user B. The match alert signal may also include display attributes of each user as previously described.
• Alternatively, ifinformation processor114 receives both the user A matching signal and the user B matching signal, the match alert signal sent byinformation processor114 includes only contact information to the users. The users then communicate further without the assistance of the information server.
• The presence components of the system illustrated inFIG. 1 may be implemented using a variety of technologies.FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a matching system using RFID tags as the presence tags. Other technologies, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and a GPS system may be used alone or in combination with each other to provide this functionality. As noted above, various embodiments are not meant to be limited to these technologies. Other technologies may emerge in the future that provide a similar functionality. These are deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments noted herein. The client components may be custom device designed and built to provide the functions of the client or may be derived from other technologies such as cellphones, smart phones, wireless PDAs, and Bluetooth-compliant device and similar products that have been adapted to provide the client functions.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a match indicator according to an embodiment. Amatch indicator A142 is coupled toclient A140 viaclient interface A210. Client A140 processes a matching alert signal received frominformation processor114 as described previously. The matching alert signal received byclient A140 comprises a display attribute of user B. The matching alert signal is passed byclient A140 to matchindicator A142 worn by user A. Thematch indicator A142 is visible to user B (not illustrated) and displays the display attribute assigned to user B. User B wears a match indicator B154 (seeFIG. 1) that is visible to user A. When user A and user B come within proximity to each other, match indicators A and B (142 and154 respectively,FIG. 1) display the display attribute assigned to user B and A respectively. The matching attribute may be a color, a symbol, a user identifier, or other indicator. In an embodiment,client B152 “announces” the matching attribute of user A to user B andclient A140 announces the matching attribute of user B to user A. The announcement may be made by a text message or a synthesized voice message or other alerting means such as tactile indicators. In yet another embodiment, the language of the synthesized voice message may be selected by the user.
• Thematch indicator142 may be an LCD or other type of miniature display that is capable of interfacing with theclient140 to perform the functions described above and to be described below. The match indicator may be a discrete device or it may be integrated with any of the other functional elements of the matching system. In one embodiment, the match indicator is a flat screen that is worn by the user such as a badge, pin, pendant or bracelet. In another embodiment, the functions of the match indicator are performed by a screen of a cellphone or similar device that is carried in a holster and attached to a user so as to be visible to other users of the system.
• In yet another embodiment, the match indicator is divided into at least two regions. As illustrated inFIG. 2,match indicator A142 is divided into region X250 andregion Y260. As previously described, the display attribute assigned to user B is displayed inregion X250 of the match indicator.
• FIG. 2 also illustrates optional biological response processor A220 andsensors230 and240. In an embodiment, the biological response processor A220 receives physiological data from user A that is indicative of a level of attraction of user A to user B. The biological processor A220 applies an attraction algorithm to the received physiological data to determine whether the level of attraction is positive or negative. The biological processor sends an “attraction signal” to theclient A140 or, alternatively, theclient interface A210. The attraction signal comprises an attraction attribute that is displayed inregion Y260. User B can thus not only determine the results of the application of the matching algorithm to the profiles of users A and B but can also monitor information about user A's response to user B in real time. Corresponding elements may be used to modify the matching attribute displayed onmatch indicator B154. As previously described, the attributes displayed onmatch indicator A142 can also be displayed onclient B display180.
• By way of illustration and not as a limitation, physiological data may include heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, skin resistance, body temperature, voice pattern recognition, and brain electrical activity. The attraction algorithm may utilize these sensed data individually or in combination to produce the attraction signal.
• In yet another embodiment, asensor230 comprises a microphone that detects the voice of user A. User A bio response processor220 comprises a voice pattern recognition algorithm that determines whether user A is being truthful or otherwise indicates signs of stress when conversing with user B. User A bio response processor produces a truth/stress signal that comprises a truth/stress attribute this is displayed inregion Y260 of userA match indicator142.
• In an alternate embodiment, the sensor-microphone230 worn by user A is configured to detect the voice of user B. User A bio response processor220 produces a truth/stress signal that comprises an audio attribute that can be heard by user A or a display attribute that can be displayed on user A's client display170 (seeFIG. 1).
• FIG. 3 illustrates a matching process according to an embodiment. For ease of discussion and not as a limitation, the description that follows applies the matching process to a user A and a user B.
• The presence tag identifiers that are within the defined space are obtained300. In an embodiment, these identifiers are obtained by presence detectors at a preset interval. For this discussion, the “presence” identifiers include an identifier associated with a user A and an identifier associated with a user B. Default matching instructions are loaded into aninformation processor305. Profiles of users A and B are retrieved310. A determination is made whether the profile of a user comprises matchingcriteria315. If no user matching criteria are found, the default matching instructions are applied325 to the user profiles of users A and B. If one or more of the user profiles comprise matching criteria, the default matching instructions are modified to reflect the most restrictiveuser matching criteria320.
• A determination is made whether the profiles of user A and B “match”330 according to the applied matching instructions. If a match is found, a match alert signal is sent 335 to the clients of the users for whom a match has been found and the system causes the attributes of the users to be displayed on the other user's indicator340. Thereafter, the system awaitsnew polling data300. If no matching profiles are found, the system awaitsnew polling data300 and repeats the matching procedure.
• The match alert signal comprises the display attribute assigned to the user to whom the match alert signal is directed. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, if the profiles of users A and B are determined to match, then the match alert signal that is sent to user A comprises the display attribute that is assigned to user B. The match alert signal that is sent to user B comprises the display attribute that is assigned to user A. When user A and user B come within proximity to each other, match indicators A and B (seeFIG. 1,142 and154 respectively) display the display attribute that has been previously assigned to the other user340.
• The match alert signal may further comprise audio information, video information, textual information, tactile or graphical information. Additionally, the match alert signal may provide location information of a user or provide directions to the location of a user. As previously described, the information in the match alert signal may be conveyed to the user via the user's client. The user may use the user input (seeFIG. 1,175 and185) to request additional information from theinformation server110 regarding the matching score and/or override the matching determination made by theinformation server110.
• In an embodiment, when new presence data is received, the matching procedure is only applied to newly arrived users.
• FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a matching process according to an embodiment. For ease of discussion and not as a limitation, the description that follows applies the matching process to a user A and a user B.
• Referring toFIG. 4A, the presence identifiers that are within the defined space are obtained400. In an embodiment, these identifiers are obtained by presence detectors at preset (but variable) time intervals. The “presence” identifiers include an identifier associated with a user A and an identifier associated with a user B. Default matching instructions are loaded into aninformation processor405. Profiles of users A and B are retrieved410. A determination is made whether the profiles of users A and B match based on a set offirst matching criteria415. If no matching profiles are found, the system awaitsnew polling data400 and repeats the matching procedure.
• If matching profiles are found, profile information is provided to the clients of the users for whom a match has been found420. Referring toFIG. 4B, matching profiles have been found for users A and B. Profile information of user A is sent to the client of user B and the profile information of user B is sent to the client ofuser A420.
• User A applies user A matching instructions to the profile information ofuser B425. If a match is determined according to the matching instructions of user A, user A uses client A to send a user A matching signal to aninformation processor430. If there is no match according to the matching instructions of user A, the process ends435.
• User B applies user B matching instructions to the profile information ofuser A440. If a match is determined according to the matching instructions of user B, user B uses client B to send a user B matching signal to aninformation processor445. If there is no match according to the matching instructions of user A, the process ends450.
• A determination is made whether the information processor has received both the user A matching signal and the userB matching signal460. If both user matching signals are received, the information processor conveys match alert signals to the respective clients of users A andB465.
• The match alert signal comprises the display attribute assigned to the user to whom the match alert signal is directed. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, a match alert signal that is sent to user A comprises the display attribute that is assigned to user B. The match alert signal that is sent to user B comprises the display attribute that is assigned to user A. When user A and user B come within proximity to each other, match indicators A and B (see FIGS.1,142 and154 respectively) display the display attribute that has been previously assigned to the other user470.
• If the information processor does not receive a match signal from both user A and user B, the system awaitsnew presence data400 and repeats the matching procedure.
• As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, whether the matching process is performed sequentially or in batch is a matter of system optimization. In an embodiment, information processor114 (FIG. 1) processes the profiles of all present users and stores the results before issuing matching alerts. In this mode, the matches may be ranked according to a matching score. The matching alerts may then be sent in order of ranking. Alternatively, a user may specify in the user profile the number of matches to be sent.
• In an embodiment, a matching system is implemented at an event, such as a trade show, in which a large number of attendees pre-register. During the registration process, profile information is acquired from potential attendees. This profile information may be used to provide the potential attendee an initial indication of whether persons or vendors of interest will be in attendance at the event. Following registration but prior to the commencement of the event, the registered attendees may be pre-matched according to default matching instructions. Upon the commencement of the event, the presence of the registered attendees is determined. As attendees with matching profiles come into proximity with one another, matching alert signals are provided as appropriate to the attendees. In another embodiment, a determination is made whether a pre-registered attendee has modified his or her profile information since registering. If the profile has been modified, the matching process is re-run using the updated information. Additionally, the matching process is run on attendees who did not pre-register.
• The behavior of the matching elements may vary depending on whether the profile information is associated with an individual representing a personal interest or an individual representing a commercial interest. For example, in the case of an event in which the primary objective is to introduce individuals for social purposes, it might be desirable to provide an individual control over the disclosure of their personal information, location, and contact information. In this application, an acknowledgement of a matching alert signal by both of the match users may be desirable prior to initiation of the exchange of information.
• In the case where the objective is to match an individual with a product or product information, such as a booth at a trade show, the matching data may be sent to the user's client in real time without the need for an acknowledgment. For example, a user may be alerted when the user arrives at the trade show venue and alerted again when the user is in proximity to a display booth that matches the user's profile. The display booth may comprise multiple matching indicators to allow various attendees to determine whether the booth represents product information that is of interest to the attendee.
• The applications to which a matching system incorporating a matching indicator may be directed are numerous. The distinction between them lies primarily in the types of data provided in the profile/preference data associated with the user clients and used to perform the matching process and the way in which the matching information is conveyed to users. The examples that follow assume that users are present within a defined space determined by the range of the presence detectors used to detect the presence of the presence tags (seeFIG. 1,130,144 and156).
• In an exemplary application, a matching system operates in a shopping mall. Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 2, a user/shopper has created a profile on theinformation server110 that is stored in user A record120. The user/shopper may create his or her profile before arriving at the mall using a registration portal650 (SeeFIG. 6), or the user/shopper may utilize a registration server630 (seeFIG. 6) operating at the mall. The user's profile comprises a shopping list of items that the user/shopper is interested in purchasing. In the application, user B record122 comprises items that a merchant located within the mall desires to sell. For example, user B record122 may be items that the merchant has on special or the entire inventory of the merchant.Information processor114 operates matching instructions that determine if there is a match between the shopping list of the user/shopper and the items of the merchant.
• The presence of the user/shopper within the mall is detected by apresence detector130. If a match has been determined, a match alert signal is sent to theclient A140 of the user/shopper indicating that items of interest to the shopper may be located at a list of merchants. The match alert signal may, for example, identify the items on the shopping list of user/shopper that match the inventories of various merchants within the mall. The shopper proceeds to a merchant identified in the match alert signal.
• Aclient B152 and amatch indicator B154 are associated with items for sale at the merchant location. The location of the user/shopper within the mall is determined by reference to the location of the presence detector that is in receipt of thepresence identifier148 frompresence tag A144. The direction in which the user/shopper is walking can be determined by mapping the location ofpresence tag A144 over time. Another match alert signal may be sent to theclient B152 when the user/shopper is in proximity to an item on the shopper's list. Thematch indicator B154 then displays the display attribute assigned to the shopper. In this embodiment, the display attribute may comprise the shopper's name.
• In another exemplary implementation, a matching system is operated in a social club in which individuals desiring to meet other individuals congregate. In this implementation, user A is associated with userA presence monitor138 and user B is associated with userB presence monitor150. Matching instructions are applied to the user profiles of user A and user B and a match is found. The match alert signal is passed by theclient A140 to amatch indicator A142 worn by user A. Thematch indicator A142 is visible to user B. User B wears amatch indicator B154 that is visible to user A. When user A and user B come within proximity to each other, match indicators A and B (142 and154 respectively) display a display attribute that has been previously assigned to the user. By way of illustration, user A may be assigned the symbol A in a red background and user B may be assigned the symbol B in a blue background. When user A and user B are in proximity to each other, the match indicator of user A would display a B in a blue background and the match indicator of user B would display an A in a red background. The intensity and/or hue of the background color may be varied to indicate the degree to which the profiles match. Additionally, when user A is in proximity to two potential matches, only the match indicator of the “best” match will display the display attribute of user A. Thus, in a defined space of many users, display indicators provide a visual cue of a level of commonality between individuals.
• In a variation of this application, users not only wear a user monitor but apresence detector130 as well. In this application, the presence detector communicates withinformation server110 via a wireless link. By placing the presence detector on the user and controlling the polling signal strength and/or receiver sensitivity of the presence detector, the threshold proximity of users to each other before a matching alert signal is sent can be reduced. As a result, the match indicators would be triggered only when individuals are “next” to each other, allowing the match indicator to be highly targeted.
• A matching system may be implemented using a variety of technologies.FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a matching system using RFID technology.
• FIG. 5 illustrates the logical elements of a matching system according to an embodiment hereof. Referring toFIG. 5, aninformation server510 comprises aninformation processor514, a user A record520 and a user B record522. UserA RFID monitor538 comprisesRFID tag A544,RFID client A540,communications system A541, andmatch indicator A542.RFID tag A544 comprisesmemory546 in whichidentifier A548 is stored.Memory546 may be read only or programmable read/write memory. User A is associated withidentifier A548 in user A record520 ininformation server510. Additionally,information server510 comprises acommunications system524 for communicating with RFID clients A and B (540 and552 respectively).
• User B RFID monitor550 comprisesRFID tag B556,RFID client B552,communications system B553, andmatch indicator B554.RFID tag B556 comprisesmemory B558 in whichidentifier B560 is stored.Memory558 may be read only or programmable read/write memory. User B is associated withidentifier B560 in user B record522 ininformation server510.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5, RFID tags A and B (544 and556 respectively) are passive devices. However, the present invention is not so limited. Semipassive or active RFID tags may be utilized for RFID tags A and B.
• User records A and B (520 and522 respectively) each comprise a user profile. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, a user profile comprises characteristic data and preference data. The characteristic data may include age, marital status, physical size, physical limitations, and similar personal information. Preference data, for example, may include information relevant to establishing a business relationship or a social relationship and information related to preferences in food, clothing, sports, entertainment, and music.
• RFID interrogator530 transmits a polling signal that is received by an RFID tag (such as544 and556) that is within range of theRFID interrogator530. The RFID tag reflects the polling signal back to theRFID interrogator530. The reflected signal comprises the RFID tag identifier of the responding RFID tag (such as548 and560). The RFID interrogator receives the reflected signal and sends the RFID tag identifier toinformation processor514.Information processor514 stores the location of theRFID interrogator530 in association with the RFID tag identifier in the appropriate user record (such as520 or522).
• The reflected signal may be further processed to determine a distance between an RFID tag and anRFID interrogator530. In an embodiment,information processor514 uses the signal strength of the reflected signal to determine a separation distance. The distance determination may be refined by varying the power of the query signal transmitted byRFID interrogator530 and/or varying the sensitivity of theRFID interrogator530 to the reflected signal. In this way, the accuracy of the location of a particular user relative to an array of RFID interrogators may be varied to suit a particular need.
• Theinformation server510 communicates with RFID clients A and B (540 and552 respectively) via links established betweencommunications system A541,communications system B553, andcommunications system524. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, an RFID client may be a standalone device or it may be communications devices such as a cellular phone, a pager, a personal data assistant, a transponder, a radio, a walkie-talkie, or a wireless Internet access device. RFID clients A and B (540 and552 respectively) may also communicate withinformation server510 to manage their respective user records, including the user profile. In an embodiment,RFID client510 stores the user profile locally.
• RFID client A further comprises aclient A display570 and a clientA user input575. RFID client B further comprises aclient B display580 and a clientB user input585.Client A display570 andclient B display580 may display messages frominformation server510. ClientA user input575 and clientB user input585 allow clients A and B respectively to compose queries and respond to queries frominformation server510. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, clientA user input575 and clientB user input585 may be touch screens, key pads, pointing devices, thumbwheels or similar input devices.
• In an embodiment, information processor515 comprises a set of “default” instructions that determine how the profile information of user A and user B as reflected in user A record520 and user B record522 is to be related or “matched.” For example, the default matching instructions may require that a match will be determined only if the age difference between user A and user B is ten years or less.
• The default matching instructions may be modified by a preference setting in a user profile. For example, if user B's profile requires that the age difference not exceed two years, the default matching instructions will be modified to use the age criterion of user B's profile.
• In an embodiment, a “match” between the profiles of user A and user B is quantitatively determined. In this embodiment, the default matching instructions produce a total matching score by assigning values to specific matching criteria. The default matching criteria and the weight assigned to a specific criterion may be modified by the user profile. If the matching score exceeds a threshold value, the matching score is communicated to users A and B through their respective RFID clients (540 and552 respectively) viacommunications system524.
• In an embodiment, when a determination is made that the matching score of users A and B exceeds the threshold, a match alert signal is sent from theinformation server510 to theRFID clients540 and552 of users A and B. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the match alert signal may comprise audio information, video information, textual information, or graphical information. Additionally, the match alert signal may provide location information of a user or provide directions to the location of a user. The user may use the RFID client (such as540 and552) to request additional information from theinformation server510 regarding the matching score and/or override the matching determination made by theinformation server510.
• In an embodiment, the match alert signal is passed by theRFID client A540 to amatch indicator A542 worn by user A. Thematch indicator A542 is visible to user B. User B wears amatch indicator B554 that is visible to user A. When user A and user B come within proximity to each other, match indicators A and B (542 and554 respectively) display the matching attribute. The matching attribute may be a color, a symbol, a user identifier, or other indicator. In an embodiment,RFID client540 “announces” the matching attribute of user A to user B and the matching attribute of user B to user A. The announcement may be made by a text message or a synthesized voice message or other type of alerting stimuli. In yet another embodiment, the language of the synthesized voice message maybe selected by the user.
• In an embodiment, the information server also tracks the matching attribute assigned to users located in an area of the defined space to minimize duplication of the matching attribute.
• In another embodiment, the user profile and user matching instructions are stored in theRFID client540. User matching instructions are configured by the user to meet specific requirements of that user. Theinformation server510 determines that users A and B are within a defined space and uses the default matching instructions to determine whether the profiles of users A and B match based on a set of first matching criteria. If the profiles match according to these criteria, the profile of user A is sent to theRFID client552 of user B and the profile of user B is sent to theRFID client540 of user A. User A applies user A matching instructions to the profile of user B. If a match is determined according to the matching instructions of user A, user A usesRFID client A540 to send a user A matching signal toinformation processor514. If a match is determined according to the matching instructions of user B, user BusesRFID client B552 to send a user B matching signal toinformation processor514.
• Ifinformation processor514 receives both the user A matching signal and the user B matching signal, theinformation processor514 facilitates a meeting between user A and user B by providing location and/or contact information.
• Alternatively, ifinformation processor514 receives both the user A matching signal and the user B matching signal, theinformation processor514 sends only contact information to the users. The users then communicate further without the assistance of the information server.
• FIG. 6 illustrates an RFID-based matching system (RMS) configured for a defined space. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, a defined space may include a convention hall, a sports arena, a bar, country club, a shopping mall, an area within a city such as a shopping or commercial district or other place where people of similar interests gather.
• Users of the RMS are assigned a user RFID monitor. InFIG. 6, userRFID monitor A538 and userRFID monitor B550 are illustrated. However, this is not meant to be a limitation. It is anticipated that many users of the RMS will be in the defined space simultaneously with each assigned a user RFID monitor.
• RFID interrogators530 are situated within the defined space and keep track of the locations of each of the RFID tags. The RFID interrogators communicate with theinformation server510 via matching network610 and with user RFID monitors A and B via wireless network605. Because the location of RFID interrogators is known, the relative movement of a user can be tracked and the location of the user approximated. This information can be provided to another user via the user RFID monitor.
• In an embodiment,information server510 is accessible to users of the RMS through aregistration server630 and through aregistration portal650 viaInternet640. Users of the RMS system may register with theinformation server510, create and/or update the user record, and modify the user profile maintained oninformation server510 through these access points. For example, theregistration server630 may be in a kiosk within a shopping mall or at a registration desk for a conference. In addition, a user may accessinformation server510 from the RFID client associated with the user.
• It will also be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed and that the examples and embodiments described herein are in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art of the present invention will recognize that other embodiments using the concepts described herein are also possible. Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” or “the,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

Claims (20)

1. A portable matching device comprising:

a memory storing first identification information;

a communication device configured to transmit the first identification information from the memory to a presence detector and to receive a matching attribute from a server configured to determine whether a first profile associated with the first identification information and a second profile match according to matching criteria;

a match indicator configured to present the matching attribute, wherein the matching attribute is unique to the second profile and at least one of outwardly visible or audible so as to be informative to a person other than a user of the portable matching device of the match.

2. The portable matching device ofclaim 1 wherein the matching attribute comprises a quantitative measure so as to be informative of a degree to which the first and second profiles match according to the matching criteria.

3. The portable matching device ofclaim 1 further comprising:

a sensor responsive to physiological data; and

a computing system configured to:

receive the physiological data from the sensor;

determine a measure of attraction from at least one element of the physiological data; and

create an attraction attribute indicative of the measure of attraction.

4. The portable matching device ofclaim 1 further comprising:

a sensor responsive to physiological data; and

a computing system configured to:

receive the physiological data from the sensor;

determine a measure of truthfulness from at least one element of the physiological data; and

create a truthfulness attribute indicative of the measure of truthfulness.

5. The portable matching device ofclaim 1 wherein the communication device is configured to receive directions from a location of the portable matching device to a second portable matching device associated with the second profile; and

wherein the output is configured to present the directions to the user of the portable matching device.

6. The portable matching device ofclaim 1 wherein the memory stores the first profile; and

wherein the communication device is further configured to transmit the first profile to the server.

7. The portable matching device ofclaim 1 wherein the match indicator comprises at least one of a display or a speaker.

8. A method for presenting a match alert, the method comprising:

storing first identification information in a memory of a portable matching device;

transmitting the first identification information to a computing system that stores a first profile associated with the portable matching device;

receiving a matching attribute from the computing system, the matching attribute indicating that the first profile matches a second profile according to matching criteria;

presenting the matching attribute on a match indicator of the portable matching device, wherein the matching attribute is unique to the second profile and at least one of outwardly visible or audible so as to be informative to a person other than a user of the portable matching device of the match.

9. The method ofclaim 8 wherein presenting the matching attribute comprises presenting a matching attribute as a quantitative measure so as to be informative of a degree to which the first and second profiles match according to the matching criteria.

10. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising:

receiving physiological data from a sensor;

determining a measure of attraction from at least one element of the physiological data; and

creating an attraction attribute indicative of the measure of attraction.

11. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising:

receiving physiological data from a sensor; and

a computing device determining a measure of truthfulness from at least one element of the physiological data; and

the computing device creating a truthfulness attribute indicative of the measure of truthfulness.

12. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising:

receiving directions from a location of the portable matching device to a second portable matching device associated with the second profile; and

presenting the directions to the user of the portable matching device.

13. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising:

storing the first profile in the memory; and

transmitting the first profile to the computing system.

14. The method ofclaim 8 wherein presenting the matching attribute on a match indicator of the portable matching device comprises presenting the matching attribute on at least one of a display or a speaker of the portable matching device.

15. A tangible computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:

instructions to transmit first identification information to a presence detector;

instructions to receive a matching attribute from a server configured to determine whether a first profile associated with the first identification information and a second profile match according to matching criteria;

instructions to present the matching attribute, wherein the matching attribute is unique to the second profile and at least one of outwardly visible or audible so as to be informative of the match.

16. The tangible computer-readable medium ofclaim 15 wherein the matching attribute comprises a quantitative measure so as to be informative of a degree to which the first and second profiles match according to the matching criteria.

17. The tangible computer-readable medium ofclaim 15, the instructions further comprising:

instructions to receive physiological data from a sensor;

instructions to determine a measure of attraction from at least one element of the physiological data; and

instructions to create an attraction attribute indicative of the measure of attraction.

18. The tangible computer-readable medium ofclaim 15, the instructions further comprising:

instructions to receive physiological data from a sensor; and

instructions to configure a computing system to:

determine a measure of truthfulness from at least one element of the physiological data; and

create a truthfulness attribute indicative of the measure of truthfulness.

19. The tangible computer readable medium ofclaim 15, the instructions further comprising:

instructions to receive directions from a location of the portable matching device to a second portable matching device associated with the second profile; and

instructions to present the directions to the user of the portable matching device.

20. The tangible computer readable medium ofclaim 15, the instructions further comprising:

instructions to store the first profile; and

instructions to transmit the first profile to the server.

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